The Daley Grind

We've got to prepare right for pre-season in terms of getting everything ready and in place"

Tony Daley

Tony Daley has vowed to ensure that Wolves are physically ready for the challenges that League One will pose as he continues to prepare for pre-season.

Despite the Championship campaign finishing less than ten days ago, the popular fitness coach is working at Wolves' Compton Park training ground to put in place plans for when the squad returns later in the summer.

The former winger, preparing for his seventh season on the club's coaching staff, is determined that no stone is left unturned as Wolves face up to football in England's third tier.

"It's extremely busy here at the moment, even though it's the close-season," he explains. "The players have gone away on their breaks now but we're here planning and putting everything in place.

"It's quite a complex task, and we know we're going to have a new Head Coach coming in at some point, so we've got to prepare right for pre-season in terms of getting everything ready and in place.

One of the challenges for Daley during the close-season is helping reduce what is still an extensive injury list.

Wolves were hit with a succession of injury blows as last season drew to a close, with the likes of Wayne Hennessey, David Edwards, Dave Davis and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake still at Compton on a daily basis as they all continue their individual rehabilitation.

Daley explains: "We've got a few injured lads, but hopefully most of them will be ready for pre-season.

"They need a break, like everyone else, but most of them will be in for the majority of the close-season getting fully fit - or as near as possible - ready for the start of training.

"That's part and parcel of football though - they know the score and they want to get back fit and playing, and it's up to us to give them the best chance of doing that."

Next season will see Wolves play at the third level for the first time in almost a quarter of a century and Daley, who spent the majority of his own playing career in the top two divisions, is fully aware of the difficulties that the league will bring.

"League One does pose a different challenge," he admits. "The big key will obviously be how the new Head Coach wants his team to play, and that will be the challenge for our department - getting the team prepared to play in that particular way.

"It's going to be a strong, tough and physical league and the players will have to be prepared for that. It goes without saying that they will have to be physically strong, but on top of that, we'll cater for however the new coach wants his team to play."

He adds: "We'll work in conjunction with him, in terms of what physical attributes our players need to be successful with our style, and also to counter the styles of the opposition. There's a big amount of planning going into it."